BigBuff423

I suppose this is potatoes vs. pot"aw"toes....but, regardless, keeping Glenn is more favorable to helping a young QB...and in other threads, I've been a proponent of trading Shady and taking his replacement in the Draft, that would save some money....

But to be fair, in that Draft, there was Wentz and Goff and basically no one else....in this Draft you could easily have 6 QBs that go on to have very good careers. I'm biased....I've been advocate for the Bills staying put at 21 and taking their guy and then hopefully trading back from 22 to acquire more Draft picks....but, the QB issue remains the same. You don't trade UP in a year where there is a tremendous breadth of talent. To me, the cost to go up to #2 or #3, is so large, that the measurable difference between that QB and the one most likely available at 21, is not enough to lose the talent you forfeit by going that distance to get a QB. Rudolph is my first pick at 21, but if he's not there, I've watched more and more of Jackson, and I've now come full circle to thinking he's going to be a good to great NFL QB. I would be perfectly comfortable with him at 21 - and that's assuming he lasts that long...not many former Heisman winners do....

Whoops, sorry I missed it.....and yes it is!

We've had this discussion before bandit, but I'd release or trade Richie, move Glenn to LG (again going on college production and some projections coming out) and either sign Ja'Wuan James for the RT position or Draft one....keep Miller, I think he rebounds nicely in Daboll's scheme. However, I would also sign Bodine and probably Draft a C / RG hybrid to be able to move around.

Another positive I read on Twitter this morning, the scout responsible for scouting and talking up Hunt, now works for the Bills. One more reason for optimism, and one more reason to really like Beane and company are doing....been a long time since I've felt this positive about the team as a whole.... Go Bills!

And yet, a number of articles were written about how Brees wasn't being "Brees" in terms of the usual way of chucking the ball all over....how the Defense and running game were the principal players of their success. Also, you don't wait until the horse is ready to be shot before you move him to the stable from the wild fields of roaming free....you see when it's healthiest and best AHEAD of such disaster....wanting to run Shady into the ground is not a recipe for success. I might be wrong, but I'll go out on a limb and say that whether Shady plays for the Bills or for another team, if he's used in his current role, about 10 games in he'll start to wear down and he'll start missing a step here and there, maybe even sooner depending on how games are played. Now, if Beane were to Draft a guy to be the "lead" back, and use Shady as the compliment, then even though I would advise against spending that kind of money on a back-up RB, at least Shady could be fresh and able to contribute throughout the season....I just don't think Shady can keep the heavy workload for an entire season including, hopefully, the post-season.

But that's failing to account for all the other changes to come in this Off-season. For example, I would hope the next QB of the Bills is a MUCH better passer adding tremendous impact in the Offense by passing the ball better and with more scoring overall. Additionally, adding new DT / LB talent will help the Defense and the Bills just signed Vontae Davis. These will add to a better team, making the reliance on Shady as the end-all-be-all tool obsolete as few teams handle their Offense this way in the modern NFL. Also, Shady has been electric, but I don't really need to point to how unkind history is to 30 year old RBs....almost to the day, it's a significant drop-off. But, we shall agree to disagree....all good.

The 2017 Offensive Rookie of the Year was a 3rd round Running Back....I'm not arguing that every 3rd Round RB is a Kamara, but what I AM saying, is that with proper diligence and scouting, a team CAN find a great value in any round for any position. So, by extension, I don't think it's a huge reach to think that if the Bills traded Shady, that they could find a great RB to replace his production. I really like Shady, but at this point, the R.O.I. just isn't there for me, and I'm not completely sure it's there for Beane and McD either.

I respectfully disagree about a young Ronald Jones or Sony Michel being able to do what Shady does, in terms of production - not style or talent for elusiveness, he's alone in that category. But, presuming the Bills move back toward more of a power blocking run scheme, then those two RBs will have good years IMO, so I don't think it means the Bills don't make the playoffs if Shady is traded. What's even harder is to predict when the wheels come off....look, I love Shady since he's come to Buffalo and there is virtually no argument that he hasn't been the BEST Offensive player for the Bills during that time. But, and this one is a big one, good teams know when to off-load talent at just the right time...IMHO, for Shady that time is now - given where the Bills are in their quest to re-shape the roster. I know it's not popular, and it's unlikely, but to me, it's the best chance to win NOW AND in the future.

In terms of "high pick", I'm not sure how you quantify a "high pick", but I'll say IMO, if the Bills trade Shady for a Draft pick, it's probably a 3rd, maybe a 4th. And, IF the Bills attack FA with the money saved by his contract by going after say, Allen Robinson or Sammy Watkins, then a boundary WR is off the list of needs with about the same amount of money spent. Also, depending on how the rest of this FA period rolls out, the Bills *could* stay put and Draft a Rudolph or Jackson, etc., use the other 1st or trade back again and fill their needs. Which means, RB with their second 2nd round pick is an option and just in my mind, I think about what I said up thread, which is would you rather have Shady and Brice Butler or Ronald Jones / Sony Michel and Allen Robinson or Watkins? Given the new system, I also disagree that he isn't "easily replaced"....there is no one like Shady for sure....he's a rare talent. BUT, the new Offensive system may not value him the way fans do....and Ivory is the back up, and I don't see Shady as the 30 year old juggernaut....so, that means young legs to lead the rushing attack and I just don't think Beane pays a 30 year old Shady to be a part time runner when it comes with that cost. But, time will tell if I'm way off - and I probably am - but that's just my perspective.

When you consider HOW the Bills won and made it to the playoffs, I don't think depending on Shady's potential precipitous fall at the magical age of 30 is a solid plan, especially when you're installing a new Offense and probably a new QB (hopefully!) and it's most likely a Rookie QB. As for the picks, yes they have quite a few, but consider the Bills needs: QB, DT - probably 2 of them, LB - again probably 2 of them, that's 5 picks, and then add in needed depth for CB, Offensive line and WR, that's the Bills entire Draft class. Now this is based on the current Bills Draft picks and not knowing what they do in FA - outside of Davis yesterday - but looking at how many holes they have to fill, just by the sheer numbers of it, I just don't think the money their contracted to pay to Shady makes sense given where this team is heading and how they're re-shaping the roster.

IMHO, it's about recognizing what the Return on Investment would be....Shady could return either a nice player they need elsewhere and would have a hard time filling via FA or Draft, while RB is a DEEP position in this Draft making it even more accessible for the Bills to maintain production continuity. In other words, if I asked you if you could have Shady and a Brice Butler or Ronald Jones and a Allen Robinson (or possibly Sammy Watkins), which would you choose? If you'd choose the Shady package, fair enough, but considering how the Draft and FA are shaking out, I don't think it's out of the question to consider where best to allocate resources when you're team in the midst of a roster re-shaping.

Agreed on the mix philosophy, but I'm not sure they want to rely too heavily on two 30 year old RBs...although Cadet is also 29, so maybe Ivory takes the place of Cadet....and of course I'm probably wrong, but I still believe McD and Beane want to really overhaul the roster into something they believe is sustainable. And Shady's value for a potential playoff team is quite solid, fetching a decent return. The Bills probably see the RB position as malleable in their new Offensive scheme and getting a good Rookie would not only be cheaper in terms of actual cash, but if the Bills got a Draft pick, they'd be able to fill the position with a younger talent, while using some of Shady's Cap cost on a needed Vet position, like a LB or WR to help their probable Rookie QB, or even an Offensive Lineman.

He's about to turn 30....and is a violent, angry runner which I truly respected during his career. However, and some people are going to have a meltdown over this, but I do think this means Shady is on the trading block. If the Bills are seriously considering giving Ivory a job, even a back-up role at the age of 30 the way he runs (and I think he's had a concussion history if I'm not mistaken), then the Bills must be planning on Drafting their "starter" and trading Shady for something of value to the team, ala needed player or Draft pick. I just don't see the Bills going into 2018 with their RBs looking like two 30 year old RBs with many miles on those legs and one Rookie. I can see a Cadet / Ivory / Rookie combo with the Rookie starting...but that's just me.

Um, No....to all of it. It would take too long on my phone this late to go through all the issues with this post, IMO. Hopefully you can sleep well now that you got that off your chest. The translation of the Darby trade was in effect trading Darby for Kelvin Benjamin.

I think I understand your point - I think - which is to say, that if the Bills don't land Cousins and they can't get Rosen / Darnold / Mayfield, then instead of using a 1st on a guy like Rudolph, they should trade for MORE picks....to basically find talent at many other positions in an effort to truly trade up next year. While I'm sympathetic and I think I've understood your premise, I'd have to disagree. Mostly for this reason: they traded back LAST year with the knowledge THIS would be their year to find their franchise QB. So kicking the can into another year only replicates the same problem next year. Because, one could argue they made the playoffs despite the QB and despite the lack of WRs. Presuming the Bills get even just marginally better at QB and use Draft and FA for WR help, plus all the other needs, there's a chance they make the playoffs again...and we're back to square one but with no identified long-term solution to THE most important position in all of sports. They anticipated this...that's why they passed on Mahomes / Watson, traded back to gain an extra 1st and why they traded Sammy for another 2nd. This Draft IS the Draft for the QB for the Bills....and IF, and I personally don't believe this but anything is possible, IF they get Cousins, then they'll need all their Draft picks to solve the issue on the field and two 1sts, goes a long way in doing that especially at LB / DT.

I could see the Dolphins signing him to replace Moore with the caveat to Keenum being: "You come in and compete with Tannehill, whoever wins, starts".....otherwise, it would need to be a team built in similar fashion as the Vikes: good D, good WRs to help him out, strong running game. In other words, he doesn't have to carry the team, he just has to do his part. IMHO, those teams are NOT: Airizona Cleveland Bills Jets It's even harder to find a team who believes in him so much they're willing to turn over the keys to the franchise to him....I don't see it. I think it will be a smaller market for him....he'll find somewhere to go, but not sure it will be for a lot of money and I'm not sure it's to automatically be penciled in as the starter.

Obviously I have no way of knowing if this next statement is true of McCarron or that he and McD would be a good fit, but: sometimes in life, our greatest lesson in humility through failure provides the best chance at success. It *might* be that he had that confidence and belief in himself that all the other teams would look at his resume and see what he sees....but, in essence they really didn't. Now, with some years on the bench, a little experience, and some time for introspection he might be a humbler and hungrier player than he's ever been. I have no insight as to whether he does or not, but if he does....THEN, it might be a good fit. What I find interesting is that Brooks discussed the Patriots QBs and how a few of the Rookies might fit withe Pats*, but by Brooks' own description, it also appears McCarron is a good fit. The Pats'* recent history suggests they might prefer that route over the Drafted one.

I know it won’t change your mind, or influence your thought process, but just as an added piece of information. Without getting into how I know or where my insight comes from, at least in Central New York (Syracuse-Utica-Herkimer corridor) a large majority of those people pushing narcotics and marijuana at a felony level are also using a narcotic. What they do is sell enough to cover the cost of their addiction. Additionally most property related offenses that bring defendants into a drug related diversion program are due to a substance abuse problem.

With the Bills picking up the option, which in my mind was never really a question, I don't think I ever considered it a viable alternative for the Bills to simply cut Tyrod in early March, mainly because it's doesn't improve the team at all, it is now a real consideration the Bills intentionally keep Tyrod until Draft day. Of course if they can garner a good offer, and for that I mean a 3rd round pick or better - I don't see that happening up to the Draft - then they'll take it. But, I think more likely than not, teams will try to trade a 5th, maaaaybe a 4th for Tyrod in hopes the Bills jump, and they might. But I think it's just as likely the Bills go to the Draft with Tyrod in pocket, able to bluff the league into thinking he's staying, only to get their guy and then trade him for a mid round pick or even more likely to package him with another player and / or pick to help them improve their Draft position, but at that point, they'll know exactly what they have.

So says the doctor that makes a $100,000 per surgery....wouldn't want you to *have* to come back, riiiight? As for any GM, I'm guessing any new contract is rife with incentives and health stipulations....I'm not sure I can board the Bradford train, even for a year.

That really is a great story and can be so well received because it’s taken from his point of view. Thanks for sharing, good stuff!

And that is truly fantastic, sincerely....and just to clarify, it was only in reference to the standards set for football players to qualify to play for D1 teams and basically Rosen being an advocate for saying that sports and academics don't mix at that level because of the demand of time and effort for both. On a side note, I've lived in Georgia, Florida and southern Virginia in addition to Central New York, and I LOVED living in the south. From the Southern food to my first love, a blonde haired Southern Belle that just had me at the "Heeey" drawl and blue eyes....damn good, damn good....I digress, best wishes to you and your son and look forward to hearing more from you on the board in threads.

No, it's not that I think it "should be", it's that I don't think being an athlete invalidates their opinion. Just because their words reach a much larger audience doesn't mean I think they should remain mute on subjects truly powerful and personal to them. That's all...nothing more, but absolutely nothing less....many athletes for years have taken to heart personal causes, and I certainly don't agree with all of them - very few of them in fact - but in this country, we celebrate the liberty of speech, we don't put caveats on it because someone works in an industry that provides a wider audience. At least, IMO.

And that's a fair point....honestly, if it were me, I would have to spend some real time with him and get to know who he is....enough time to break down the public persona, interview teammates in person to watch their body language, ask open-ended questions to those close to him in the football community, and make sure I'm getting all of that information. Because, I don't think anyone will argue the raw supreme talent he has as a QB and if so inclined and focused, can play at the NFL level. The issue you've brought up and it's a genuinely fair one, is CAN he mature and grow into the man he needs to be so he can successfully lead an NFL franchise? Nothing will be guaranteed either way, but IF the Bills are so high on him to trade way up to #2 as some sources have suggested, my entire due diligence at this point is centered on finding the answer to: who is Josh Rosen and what turns his gears? What truly, deeply motivates him? Look, just as a bookend to our discussion, which I appreciate by the way, I was a "troubled" teenager and did some really bad things....things I belonged in prison for....but, honestly, it was also from a broken mind / spirit perspective....I'm not a victim and I'm not a product of a bad environment and I'm not blaming anyone else but me...however, with some help I turned things around and ended up living a life I never thought possible had it not been for some strong interventions in my life and for people giving me the chance to work through some of my issues early in life - specifically my mid teens - Rosen is NOT a teenager, but even at 21, most of us have done a few regrettable things and some of us learn from them...some of us don't....but right now, if I were GM I'd be working my back end off to answer that question about Rosen.